'Carmageddon II' pushed back to fall

Transportation officials initially hoped to shut down a segment of the San Diego (405) Freeway next month, but delays to the $1 billion project are pushing the massive closure back to August or September.

Unexpected utility work, a $300 million lawsuit, and bickering with FBI representatives over line work near the agency's Wilshire Boulevard office all are delaying completion, Metro officials said Thursday.

The project, which will add a 10-mile northbound carpool lane to the 405 Freeway between the Santa Monica (10) and Ventura (101) freeways is now four to six months behind schedule.

"It's a very challenging project," Metro project manager Mike Barbour said. "It goes through a very difficult area. ... You have many very active groups in this area."

Last summer's Carmageddon event was widely hailed as a success as Metro officials closed a massive section of the 405 Freeway over a July weekend without any major incidents.

The shutdown was necessary so crews could dismantle the south side of the Mulholland Drive Bridge, which needs to be widened to accommodate the extra car lane below.